UK's Starmer calls on allies to make concrete commitments at Ukraine meeting

15/3/2025 13:29

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will urge around 25 world leaders on Saturday to make concrete commitments to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire.



Starmer hopes Saturday's video call will see the so-called 'coalition of the willing' come up with firm commitments of help for Ukraine in the run-up to any peace agreement and after that to ensure the nation's security.



The meeting will be choreographed to show wide support for Ukraine from Western nations, including Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Starmer will be seeking offers of logistical, financial or military support for Kyiv to put it in a strong position for talks.



Saturday's video call builds on a flurry of diplomacy between European and other Western countries to find ways to help Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump upended Washington's supportive approach and launched peace talks with Russia.



Starmer has said Britain could send peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire deal, but has called on Washington to offer a security 'backstop' to those forces, a measure he believes is essential to deter Putin from attacking again.